Inside the Priorities Shaping Public Budgeting in 2025

Budgeting in the public sector has always been complex—but this year’s landscape brings a unique set of pressures. The 2025 State of Public Budgeting Report pulls back the curtain on how finance teams are managing fiscal cliffs, inflation, and growing community expectations while navigating limited staff and outdated tools.

Based on a nationwide survey of 100+ public finance professionals, this report offers clear, data-backed insight into:

• Why spreadsheet-heavy workflows are putting agencies at risk—and what tools are gaining traction
• How communities like Denver and Largo are using digital budget books and scenario planning to future-proof decisions
• The growing role of AI in budgeting—from narrative drafting to real-time forecasting